ptrs-local-net-test-001/README.md

<!-- cSpell:words Baofeng callsign CTCSS GMRS Hillsborough Icom Kenwood NVIS PTRS Skywave -->
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# PTRS Net Attempt 2022-08-27T20:00-04:00

## Goal

Test out local network radio communications. Specifically, determine real-world frequency and power reach.

## Frequency and Mode Quick List

| Freq (MHz) | Mode |
|        --: | :--: |
|    146.895 |  FM  |
|    146.550 |  FM  |
|    462.600 |  FM  |
|     26.985 |  AM  |
|      3.990 |  LSB |
|      3.990 |  LSB |

## Schedule

_For this example, N0CALL is an FCC Amateur Radio license callsign. In the real test, use real callsign._

_For this example, John Three is a pseudonym._

- Announce net start on Matrix/Telegram.
- Call out on Pats Peak - [K1BKE Repeater][4]
  - Repeater output 146.895 MHz, CTCSS 100.0 Hz, FM (repeater input 146.295 MHz, CTCSS 100.0 Hz, FM)
  - using 60 watts
  - "This is November Zero Charlie Alpha Lima Lima monitoring on K 1 B K E for a couple minutes."
- Call out on VHF Ham frequency
  - 146.550 MHz FM
  - using 60 watts
  - "This is November Zero Charlie Alpha Lima Lima monitoring on one four six decimal five five simplex for a couple minutes."
- Call out on FRS 17 / GMRS 17
  - 462.60000 MHz FM
  - using *ahem* 2 watts (obviously not UV-5R 5 watts into roof mount antenna)
  - "This is John Three monitoring on F R S seventeen for a couple minutes."
- Call out on CB 3
  - 26.985 MHz AM
  - using *ahem* 4 watts (obviously not IC-7300 25 watts)
  - "This is John Three monitoring on Channel Three for a couple minutes."
- Call out on 80m Voice (SSB)
  - 3.990 MHz LSB
  - using 100 watts
  - "This is November Zero Charlie Alpha Lima Lima monitoring on eighty meters for a couple minutes."
- Call out on 80m Digital
  - 3.990 MHz LSB
    - By convention, Ham digital is USB. Leaving as LSB from prior test.
  - using ~40 watts
  - Contestia 4-250, 1500 Hz on the waterfall
  - [FlDigi][1] with optional [FlMsg][2], or for Android, [AndFlmsg][3]
  - Brief text "Hello Radio de N0CALL"
  - Brief blank form message with "Hello Radio de N0CALL"

## Radio and Antenna Used

- Icom IC-7300
  - 100 watt HF Ham radio
  - home made End-fed Half-wave (EFHW) 80m inverted-V sloping from ground to 40 feet
- Cobra CXT385
  - FRS hand-held
  - Fixed Antenna
- Baofeng UV-5RV2+
  - Ham radio hand-held
  - MFJ-1754 Dual-band 144/440 ground plane mounted above two-story roof peak
- Cobra 19 ULTRA III
  - CB mobile radio
  - home made End-fed Half-wave (EFHW) 80m inverted-V sloping from ground to 40 feet
- Kenwood TM-281
  - VHF Ham radio
  - MFJ-1754 Dual-band 144/440 ground plane mounted above two-story roof peak

## Glossary

AM
: Amplitude Modulation (Encode low-high sound by varying output power less or more)

CB
: Citizen's Band ~27 MHz

CTCSS
: continuous, tone-coded squelch system

FM
: Frequency Modulation (Encode low-high sound by deviating the transmit frequency lower or higher)

FRS
: Family Radio Service (Blister pack, Walmart, low power, camping UHF radios. Fixed antenna.)

GMRS
: General Mobile Radio Service (FCC family license, high power, UHF radios. Repeaters allowed.)

HF
: High Frequency 3 - 30 MHz

LSB
: Lower Side Band (left half of AM signal with carrier suppressed. Used by Hams below 10 MHz.)

NVIS
: Near Vertical Incidence Skywave

PL
: Private Line (Motorola proprietary term for CTCSS, not "private")

PTRS
: Pine Tree Radio Society

SSB
: Single Sideband (half of an AM signal with the central carrier suppressed. Commonly Upper Sideband, except Ham voice below 10 MHz.)

SWL
: Short Wave (Radio) Listening

UHF
: Ultra High Frequency 300 - 3000 MHz

USB
: Upper Side Band (right half of AM signal with carrier suppressed. Used by Hams above 10 MHz and everyone else everywhere, including digital.)

VHF
: Very High Frequency 30 - 299 MHz

Watts
: Measure of power named after James Watts, inventor of the steam engine. (Yes, watts convert to horsepower.)

## Links

<http://www.w1hkj.com/files/fldigi/> "FlDigi Files"

<http://www.w1hkj.com/files/flmsg/> "FlMsg Files"

<http://www.w1hkj.com/files/AndFlmsg/> "AndFlmsg Files"

<https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/details.php?state_id=33&ID=3423> "RepeaterBook - K1BKE"

<!-- ## Links -->

[1]: http://www.w1hkj.com/files/fldigi/ "FlDigi Files"
[2]: http://www.w1hkj.com/files/flmsg/ "FlMsg Files"
[3]: http://www.w1hkj.com/files/AndFlmsg/ "AndFlmsg Files"
[4]: https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/details.php?state_id=33&ID=3423 "RepeaterBook"